William R. Walker (architect)
# William R. Walker (architect)

William R. Walker (April 14, 1830 – March 11, 1905) was an American architect from Providence, Rhode Island, who was later the senior partner of William R. Walker & Son.

## Early life

Major-General William Russell Walker was born on April 14, 1830, in a part of Seekonk, Massachusetts that is presently part of East Providence, Rhode Island, to Alfred and Huldah Walker. He attended the public schools, and graduated from the Seekonk Classical Seminary in 1846. For three years he was a builder's apprentice in Providence, and studied architectural drawing at Scholfield's Commercial College in his free time. In 1850 he went to Augusta, Georgia, but returned to Pawtucket the following year, where he would live for the rest of his life. In 1861 he was commissioned first lieutenant of Company E of the 1st Rhode Island Detached Militia. The regiment mustered out three months later in August.

## Architectural career

In 1864, Walker established himself as an architect in Providence's Merchants Bank Building, moving to the Reynolds Building (37 Weybosset) by 1871. In 1874 his son, W. Howard Walker, entered the office as a student and draftsman. Walker practiced alone until January 1876, when he made Thomas J. Gould, draftsman since 1868, partner in Walker & Gould. In about 1878, Walker & Gould moved into their new Vaughan Building, on Custom House Street. Walker & Gould was dissolved as of January 1881, and the Walkers formed a new firm, William R. Walker & Son. Gould established Gould & Angell with Frank W. Angell, another Walker draftsman. During the 1880s to 1890s, Walker & Son grew to become one of the state's largest firms.

Walker continued in his position as senior partner until his death in 1905. His son (died 1922) and grandson (died 1936) each operated the firm until their deaths.

## Personal life

In 1852, Walker married Eliza B. Hall, who died in 1895. They had two children, George Clinton (1853-1883) and William Howard (1856-1922), the latter of whom was associated with him in his business.

Walker was politically active. He was a member of the North Providence town council, as well as that of Pawtucket when it incorporated as an independent town, and served two terms in the Rhode Island general assembly. He was active in the state militia for twenty years, retiring with the rank of major-general. It was through his many political connections that Walker obtained so many public commissions throughout the state.

Walker died on March 11, 1905. He is buried at Swan Point Cemetery.

## Selected works

### William R. Walker, 1864-1875

* 1864 - Pawtucket Hair Cloth Mill, 501 Roosevelt Ave, Central Falls, Rhode Island
* 1865 - John A. Mitchell House, 190 Hope St, Providence, Rhode Island
* 1866 - Ogden Mills House (Ocean View), 662 Bellevue Ave, Newport, Rhode Island
* 1868 - Frederic C. Sayles House (Bryn Mawr), East Ave, Pawtucket, Rhode Island
   * Demolished
* 1868 - Benjamin B. Knight House, 155 Broad St, Providence, Rhode Island
   * Demolished
* 1870 - Amasa Sprague Jr. House, Valentine Circle, Warwick, Rhode Island
   * Burned in 1930
* 1870 - Isaac Davis House, 59 Elm St, Worcester, Massachusetts
* 1871 - Benedict House, 301 Main St, Pawtucket, Rhode Island
   * Demolished in 1979
* 1871 - Pawtucket City Hall (Old), 35 High St, Pawtucket, Rhode Island
   * Demolished in 1968
* 1871 - Wamsutta House, Elm & N Washington, North Attleborough, Massachusetts
   * Demolished
* 1872 - Equitable Building, 1 Custom House St, Providence, Rhode Island
* 1872 - Northbridge Memorial Town Hall, 7 Main St, Whitinsville, Massachusetts
* 1872 - Alfred A. Reed, Jr. House (Cedar Hill), 4157 Post Rd, Warwick, Rhode Island
* 1872 - John C. Whitin House, 60 Main St, Whitinsville, Massachusetts
   * Demolished in 1941
* 1873 - William Sprague House (Canonchet), Hoxsie Ln, Narragansett Pier, Rhode Island
   * Burned in 1909
* 1873 - Oakland Beach Hotel, Oakland Beach Ave, Oakland Beach, Rhode Island
   * Burned in 1903
* 1873 - Boston Store, 239 Westminster St, Providence, Rhode Island
   * Demolished
* 1875 - Bell Street Chapel, 5 Bell St, Providence, Rhode Island.

### Walker & Gould, 1876-1880

* 1876 - Central Falls Baptist Church, 481 Broad St, Central Falls, Rhode Island
   * Demolished
* 1876 - John E. Troup House, 478 Broadway, Providence, Rhode Island
* 1876 - Music Hall Block (Town Hall), 172 Main St, Danielson, Connecticut
* 1876 - Rhode Island Building, Centennial Exposition, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
   * Demolished
* 1876 - Robinson Hall, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island (dedicated February 16, 1878).
* 1876 - Woonsocket High School (Old), 60 High School St, Woonsocket, Rhode Island
   * Demolished in 2001
* 1877 - Aldrich Building, Delta St, Providence, Rhode Island. Demolished
   * Demolished
* 1877 - Daniels Building, 26 Custom House St, Providence, Rhode Island
   * Demolished
* 1877 - Charles R. Chapman House, 61 Woodland St, Hartford, Connecticut
   * Demolished
* 1877 - Horatio N. Campbell House, 141 Waterman St, Providence, Rhode Island
* 1877 - Providence High School (Old), Pond & Summer, Providence, Rhode Island
   * Demolished
* 1877 - Union Congregational Church, Broad St, Providence, Rhode Island
   * Demolished
* 1878 - Henry B. Metcalf House, 145 Broadway, Pawtucket, Rhode Island
   * Demolished
* 1878 - Sanford C. Hovey House, 173 Congdon St, Providence, Rhode Island
* 1878 - Narragansett Hotel, 93 Dorrance St, Providence, Rhode Island
   * Demolished in 1959
* 1878 - Vaughan Building, 17 Custom House St, Providence, Rhode Island
   * Demolished
* 1879 - District 4 School, 132 Roger Williams Ave, Phillipsdale, Rhode Island
* 1879 - First Baptist Church, 1400 Pawtucket Ave, East Providence, Rhode Island
* 1880 - Charles P. Young House, 107 N Washington St, North Attleborough, Massachusetts
* 1880 - Everett P. Carpenter House, 72 Summit St, Pawtucket, Rhode Island
* 1880 - Nicholson File Office Building, 23 Acorn St, Providence, Rhode Island
* 1880 - Turner Avenue School, Turner & Smith, Riverside, Rhode Island
   * Demolished

## Gallery

* Pawtucket Hair Cloth Mill, Central Falls. 1864.
* Equitable Building, Providence. 1872.
* Cedar Hill, Warwick. 1872.
* Bell Street Chapel, Providence. 1875.
* Music Hall, Danielson, Connecticut. 1876.
* First Baptist Church, East Providence. 1879.
* Nicholson File Office Building, Providence. 1880.
